Vibration correction apparatus and optical device

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the present invention to obtain optimum driving characteristics by correcting a deterioration in vibration correction characteristics, which is caused by a mechanical degradation such as shaft friction or deformation caused by the temperature and time change of vibration correction unit, or variations caused by the difference between individual devices. In order to achieve this object, a vibration correction apparatus for correcting the movement of an image which is caused by a vibration includes a calibration function by which an angular velocity detected by an angular velocity detection unit is integrated and converted into an angular displacement signal to generate a vibration signal, a variable angle prism (VAP) is driven on the basis of the vibration signal, the offsets of the frequency characteristic, the driving limit, and the initial position are detected from the response characteristics obtained when a predetermined test driving signal is supplied to the VAP, and the offsets are corrected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image blur correction apparatussuitable for a image sensing device such as a silver halide camera and avideo camera or an optical device such as a binocular.

In the field of photographing devices such as a silver halide camera anda video camera, conventionally, automatic and multi-functionalarrangements for exposure setting, focus adjustment, and the like are inprogress. This makes it possible to always perform a satisfactoryphotographing operation regardless of the photographing environment.

However, the image quality largely deteriorates due to a camera shake infact. In recent years, therefore, various vibration correctionapparatuses for correcting this camera shake are proposed and receivinga great deal of attention.

As for vibration correction apparatuses, their correction systems areroughly classified into optical correction and electrical correctionusing image processing, and detection systems are classified intophysical vibration detection and detection by image processing using animage vector. Various combinations of these systems are proposed.

Optical vibration correction will be described below. An angularvelocity detection means such as a vibration gyroscope is provided as avibration detection means. A velocity signal output from the angularvelocity sensor is integrated and converted into an angular displacementsignal. An optical vibration correction means such as a variable angleprism (to be referred to as a VAP hereinafter) capable of changing thedirection of optical axis is driven, thereby optically correcting thevibration.

Such an optical vibration correction apparatus has a feedback loop inwhich the VAP is driven in accordance with a vibration correctioncontrol signal for performing normal vibration correction, andsimultaneously, the angular displacement of the VAP is detected to drivethe VAP to a position corresponding to the control signal.

In the vibration correction apparatus using the optical/mechanicalvibration correction means such as the above-mentioned VAP, however, amechanical degradation such as shaft friction and element deformation iscaused particularly by the temperature and time change of a mechanicalmovable portion. This may cause a deterioration in responsiveness(follow-up properties), which is not negligible in control of arelatively small vibration (e.g., when the optical axis is slightly(about 0.03 deg in an embodiment to be described later) displaced forpolarization). In addition, variations in VAPs and their driving systemsare large.

In the vibration correction apparatus using the VAP controlled by aservo mechanism, such a deterioration or variation in mechanicalperformance results in a disadvantage so that the central position forcontrol shifts due to load variations such as a temperature and timechange.

Additionally, the driving limit of the VAP disadvantageously variesbecause the elements change due to a temperature and time change, or thebattery is consumed.

Furthermore, since variations in optical axis adjustment are large, thegenerated vibration cannot be completely absorbed by vibrationcorrection only by adjustment using the offset of an output signal froma low-end one-chip microcomputer in some cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide avibration correction apparatus which corrects a mechanical degradationsuch as shaft friction or element deformation, or a delay in responsedue to the temperature and time change of a movement correction meansand simultaneously corrects variations due to a difference betweenindividual driving systems, thereby always ensuring satisfactoryresponse characteristics.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding a vibration correction apparatus comprising vibrationdetection means for detecting a vibration, movement correction means forcorrecting a movement of an image, which is caused by the vibration, onthe basis of an output from the vibration detection means, and controlmeans for detecting response characteristics of the movement correctionmeans with respect to a predetermined driving signal and correctingdriving characteristics of the movement correction means on the basis ofa detection result.

In accordance with the present invention as described above, when theresponse characteristics of the movement correction means with respectto a test driving signal are detected, the offset is corrected so that achange in characteristics caused by a mechanical error such as shaftfriction or element deformation caused by the temperature and timechange can be corrected.

There is also provided a vibration correction apparatus comprisingvibration detection means for detecting a vibration of an image sensingdevice main body, movement correction means for correcting a movement ofan image, which is caused by the vibration, on the basis of an outputfrom the vibration detection means, characteristic detection means fordetecting response characteristics of the movement correction means withrespect to a predetermined driving signal and calculating an offsetbetween a detection result and a predetermined reference value, storagemeans for storing the offset calculated by the characteristic detectionmeans and control means for correcting driving characteristics of themovement correction means on the basis of offset information stored inthe storage means.

With the above arrangement, when the response characteristics of themovement correction means with respect to the test driving signal aredetected, the offset to ideal response characteristics is detected, andthe transfer characteristics are corrected. Since this offsetinformation is stored and used for the subsequent control, the operationof the movement correction means is always performed with the optimumcharacteristics, and a change in characteristics due to a mechanicalerror such as shaft friction or element deformation caused by thetemperature -and time change is compensated.

Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide avibration correction apparatus and an optical device whichsimultaneously performs balance adjustment of the responsecharacteristics between a plurality of optical systems of an opticalapparatus such as a binocular to which the vibration correctionapparatus is applied, thereby obtaining vibration correctioncharacteristics while equalizing the characteristics of the opticalsystems.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding a vibration correction apparatus comprising first movementcorrection means for correcting a movement of an image which is causedby a vibration, second movement correction means for correcting themovement of said image, which is caused by the vibration and controlmeans for detecting response characteristics of said first movementcorrection means with respect to a predetermined driving signal andresponse characteristics of said second movement correction means withrespect to the driving signal, and correcting the drivingcharacteristics of one of said first and second movement correctionmeans such that the response characteristics of said first movementcorrection means are substantially equalized with those of said secondmovement correction means.

In accordance with the present invention as described above, theresponse characteristics of the first and second movement correctionmeans can always be equally set, and balance adjustment between theresponse characteristics of the movement correction means can beperformed. At the same time, a change in characteristics due to amechanical error such as shaft friction or element deformation caused bythe temperature and time change is corrected.

There is also provided an optical device comprising a first opticalsystem having a movable portion for changing optical characteristics,first driving means for driving the first optical system, a secondoptical system having a movable portion for changing the opticalcharacteristics, second driving means for driving the second opticalsystem and control means for detecting response characteristics of thefirst and second optical systems with respect to a predetermined drivingsignal and correcting driving characteristics of at least one of thefirst and second driving means such that the response characteristics ofthe first optical system are substantially equalized with those of thesecond optical system.

With the above arrangement, the response characteristics of the firstand second optical systems can always be equally set, and balanceadjustment of the response characteristics between the optical systemscan be performed. At the same time, a change in characteristics due to amechanical error such as shaft friction or element deformation caused bythe temperature and time change can be corrected.

The invention is particularly advantageous since there can be provided avibration correction apparatus which corrects a mechanical degradationsuch as shaft friction or element deformation, or a delay in responsedue to the temperature and time change of a movement correction meansand simultaneously corrects variations due to a difference betweenindividual driving systems, thereby always ensuring satisfactoryresponse characteristics.

In addition, there can be provided an optical device whichsimultaneously performs balance adjustment of the responsecharacteristics between a plurality of optical systems of an opticaldevice such as a binocular to which the vibration correction apparatusis applied, thereby obtaining a vibration correction characteristicwhile equalizing the characteristics of the optical systems.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the main part (acalibration block and a vibration correction block) of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a graph for explaining a calibration operation performed bythe arrangement shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of a photographingoptical system incorporating a VAP;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the basic arrangement of a VAP drivingcircuit;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow charts for explaining the control operation ofa vibration correction system using the VAP;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the structure of the VAP so as to explain theembodiment of the-present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view showing the structure of the VAP so as to explain theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the frequency characteristic of a VAP unit soas to explain the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a digital filterconstituting an HPF, an integration means, a gain/phase correctionmeans, and the like in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining the arrangement of an observerdetection means for detecting whether an observer is looking through afinder eyepiece unit;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a binocular incorporating the vibrationcorrection apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the binocular incorporating thevibration correction apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the vibrationdetection/correction system of the binocular, which is common to thesecond to fourth embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a vibrationcorrection apparatus of the present invention, which is applied to avideo camera or a VTR integral with a camera.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an angular velocitydetection unit having an angular velocity sensor such as a vibrationgyroscope attached to a photographing device such as a camera; 2, a DCcut filter (or a high-pass filter for cutting off a signal in anarbitrary band (to be referred to as an HPF hereinafter)) for cuttingoff the DC component of an angular velocity signal output from theangular velocity detection unit 1; and 3, an amplifier for amplifyingthe angular velocity signal to an appropriate sensitivity.

A microcomputer 20 serves as a control means which receives the angularvelocity signal output from the amplifier 3 and calculates and outputs-avibration correction signal for driving a variable angle prism (VAP)serving as an image correction means in a vibration correction block 30(to be described later). The internal arrangement of the microcomputer20 is realized by software. In this embodiment, to clarify means andfunctions constituting the present invention, the respective functionsare represented as blocks.

A region other than the various blocks in the microcomputer 20corresponds to a system control unit which controls transfer of variousdata and instructions between the blocks shown in FIG. 1, therebycontrolling the entire system. More specifically, the microcomputer 20incorporates a CPU, a ROM holding a control program realized by the CPU,a RAM, and the like.

In the microcomputer 20, an A/D converter 201 converts the angularvelocity signal output from the amplifier 3 into a digital signal. AnHPF 202 having a function of changing characteristics in an arbitraryband can perform phase compensation and passes a frequency componentdetected as a vibration.

An integration unit (integrator) 203 integrates the angular velocitysignal and converts the angular velocity signal into an angulardisplacement signal corresponding to a vibration correction amount. Aphase/gain correction unit 204 is arranged on the output side of theintegration unit 203 to integrate the angular velocity signal, convertthe signal into an angular displacement signal, and calculate avibration correction amount, thereby correcting the phase and gain ofthe system.

Note that the phase/gain correction unit 204 incorporates a D/Aconverter (not shown) so that the phase/gain correction unit 204 canconvert an input digital angular displacement signal into an analogoutput and output the analog signal. When the output from the D/Aconverter passes through a limiter, the amplitude of a vibrationcorrection control signal is limited. With this arrangement, the drivingrange of the VAP can be limited to correct a mechanical offset causedby, e.g., a temperature and time change, as will be described later. Inaddition, when the vibration correction apparatus of the presentinvention is applied to a binocular, balance adjustment for left andright vibration correction means can be performed. Such driving rangecorrection can be performed through a control data line C.

A vibration correction block 30 corrects the movement of an image due toa vibration on the basis of an angular displacement signal output fromthe phase/gain correction unit 204 in the microcomputer 20. Thevibration correction block 30 has an image correction unit 5 consistingof elements and mechanisms for correcting an image blur and an actuatorfor driving them, and a driving unit 4 serving as a driving means fordriving the image correction unit 5.

A VAP including a driving actuator for correcting the movement of animage due to a vibration in accordance with an output from the drivingunit 4 is used as the image correction unit 5 in this embodiment. Usingthe VAP, the optical axis is displaced in a direction to cancel themovement caused by the vibration, thereby correcting the movement of theimage caused by the vibration.

The arrangement in the microcomputer 20 will be described further. Apan/tilt determination unit 205 determines a panning/tilting andphotographing states. A frequency/amplitude detection unit 206 detects avibration frequency and amplitude on the basis of an angular velocitysignal.

The pan/tilt determination unit 205 receives an angular velocity signalfrom the HPF 202 and an angular displacement signal output from theintegration unit 203. If the angular displacement signal monotonicallyincreases or decreases in a predetermined direction while the angularvelocity signal does not change, the pan/tilt determination unit 205 candetermine panning or tilting.

In this determination, when the amplitudes and frequencies of theangular velocity signal and the angular displacement signal are detectedby the frequency/amplitude detection unit 206 simultaneously, thevibration frequency is low, and the amplitude increases or decreases ina predetermined direction, panning or tilting can be determined. Thisinformation is supplied to the pan/tilt determination unit 205.

When panning or tilting is detected by the pan/tilt determination unit205 and the frequency/amplitude detection unit 206, the integrationcharacteristic of the integration unit 203, i.e., the cut-off frequencyin the low band is shifted to the high-frequency side, thereby degradingthe vibration correction function in the low band. With this processing,the movement correction function in a panning/tilting operation isdegraded, thereby preventing an offset of vibration correction by theVAP.

By detecting the vibration frequency by the frequency/amplitudedetection unit 206, the frequency characteristic of the integration unit203 can be set to the center frequency of the vibration. With thisprocessing, even when the vibration frequency changes, the maximumvibration correction effect with respect to the vibration frequency canbe obtained. That is, optimum vibration correction control can beperformed in accordance with the vibrated state.

The information of the vibration frequency and amplitude, which aredetected by the frequency/amplitude detection unit 206, is supplied tothe phase/gain correction unit 204. Phase/gain compensation issimultaneously performed when the frequency characteristic in theintegration characteristics of the control system is changed inaccordance with the vibration frequency and amplitude. Therefore, thestability of the control system can always be maintained, and a highcorrection capability can be realized for any kind of vibration. At thesame time, a highly precise and stable system with a high reliabilitycan be realized.

As described above, in the microcomputer 20, an angular velocity signal(an output from the amplifier 3) is converted into a digital value bythe A/D converter 201, and converted into an angular displacement signalby the integration unit 203.

The pan/tilt determination unit 205 constitutes a determination meansfor determining the panning/tilting and photographing states by usingthe angular velocity signal output from the A/D converter 201 and theangular displacement signal output from the integration unit 203. On thebasis of the determination result, the frequency characteristic of theintegration unit 203 is changed and shifted to the high frequency sidein a panning/tilting operation, as described above. With this operation,the VAP is prevented from coming to the end opposite to the panning(tilting) direction so that vibration correction on the high frequencyside can be performed even during a panning operation.

Therefore, the integration unit 203 is assumed to have characteristicsof cutting off the low frequency range.

The frequency/amplitude detection unit 206 is a frequency/amplitudedetection means for receiving an angular velocity signal (an output fromthe A/D converter 201) and an angular displacement signal (an outputfrom the integration unit 203). On the basis of the detected frequencyand amplitude, correction is performed by the phase/gain correction unit204.

The corrected angular displacement signal is converted into an analogvalue by the D/A converter (not shown) in the phase/gain correction unit204, or output from the microcomputer 20 as, e.g., a PWM (Pulse WidthModulation) pulse output. The output is supplied to the driving unit 4in the vibration correction block 30, and the image correction unit 5consisting of the VAP is driven with this operation, the vibration issuppressed, and a stable image can be obtained.

The above-described phase/gain correction can be performed by changingthe frequency characteristic of the HPF 2, as indicated by a dotted linein FIG. 1, instead of using the phase/gain correction unit 204.

An IS switch 7 selects the operative or inoperative state of thevibration correction function. The ON/OFF state of the IS switch 7 isfetched by the microcomputer 20 through a data line T1.

The power-ON state of the apparatus is fetched as a power on signal bythe microcomputer 20 through a data line T5.

A battery check switch 8 is used to perform to check the remainingbattery amount. The operated state is read by the microcomputer 20through a data line T2.

A calibration switch 9 is used to perform a calibration operation as acharacteristic feature of the present invention (to be described later),and its operated state is read by the microcomputer 20 through a dataline T3.

An observer detection unit 10 detects the proximity of an eye of anoperator (observer) to the eyepiece unit of the video camera of thepresent invention, thereby setting the apparatus in an operative state.The observer detection unit 10 has a light-emitting/light-receivingsensor 131 in an eyepiece unit 130 of, e.g., a video camera or abinocular, as shown in FIG. 12. With this arrangement, an infrared rayis irradiated on an eye EYE of the operator, and the proximity of theeye is detected from the reflected light beam. This arrangement can berealized by an eye detection device which is recently used to set adistance measurement area for autofocusing in a camera. The state of theobserver detection unit 10 is read by the microcomputer 20 through adata line T4.

The characteristics (cut-off frequency) of the HPF 2 (or the HPF 202)and the integration unit 203 can be changed by the microcomputer 20 whenthe IS switch 7 is turned on, or when the power is turned on.

These characteristics can be arbitrarily set, or the correction functioncan be changed to absorb the variations in individual VAPs by using anEEPROM 6 serving as a storage means (to be described later).

The VAP which is used as the image correction unit 5 in the vibrationcorrection block 30 to optically displace the optical axis and cancel avibration will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the arrangement using the VAP as theimage correction unit 5. This is a closed-loop control system in which avoice coil type motor is used to drive the prism, and the angulardisplacement of the prism is detected by an encoder and fed back. InFIG. 5, reference numeral 106 denotes a VAP.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the VAP 106. As shown in FIG. 8, the VAP106 is constituted by sandwiching a transparent elastic body or inertfluid 117 with a high refractive index (refractive index n) between twotransparent parallel plates 106 a and 106 b opposing each other, andelastically sealing the outer surface with a sealing material 116 suchas a resin film. The transparent parallel plates 106 a and 106 b areswingably arranged.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state wherein an incident light beam 119passes through the VAP 106 when the transparent parallel plate 106 a inFIG. 8 is pivoted about a pitch-director swing shaft 101 (111) by anangle θ. As shown in FIG. 9, the incident light beam 119 incident alongthe optical axis is deflected by an angle φ=(n−1)θ and emerges inaccordance with the same principle as of a sphenoidal prism. That is, anexit light beam 118 is decentered (deflected) by the angle φ, asindicated by reference numeral 118 a. Reference numeral 140 denotes anaxis around which the VAP rotates in a yaw direction

Referring back to FIG. 5, the VAP 106 is fixed to a lens barrel 102through a holding frame 107 to freely pivot about the swing shafts 101and 111.

A yoke 113, a magnet 115, and a coil 112 constitute a voice coil typeactuator so that, when a current flows through the coil 112, the angleof the VAP 106 can be changed about the swing shaft 111. A slit 110moves together with the rotating shaft 111.

A light-emitting diode 108 and a PSD (Position Sensing Detector) 109constitute, together with the slit 110, an encoder for detecting theangular displacement of the VAP. A light beam whose incident angle ischanged through the VAP 106 is formed into an image on the surface of aCCD 104 through a lens group 103. Reference numeral 105 denotes acentral axis serving as a swing center of the VAP 106.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the basic control system with theabove-described arrangement.

Reference numeral 121 denotes an amplifier; 122, a driver; 123, anactuator; 124, a VAP; and 125, an angular displacement encoder fordetecting the angle of the VAP 124. A vibration correction controlsignal 120 and an output signal output from the angular displacementencoder 125 are added by an adder 126 in opposite polarities.

Therefore, control is performed such that the control signal 120 isequalized with the output signal from the angular displacement encoder125. As a result, the control signal 120 is equalized with the outputfrom the angular displacement encoder 125.

In fact, however, the VAP 124 (without velocity feedback compensation)having the arrangement as shown in FIG. 5 has a frequency characteristicshown in FIG. 10. The frequency characteristic (gain/phase) inpolarization of the optical axis by 0.03 deg largely differs from thatin polarization by 0.1 deg (almost the same response is observed in thelow-frequency band although not illustrated).

For example, at 10 Hz, the phase in polarization by 0.03 deg delays 7deg with respect to that in polarization by 0.1 deg.

This delay is caused by the influence of shaft friction orcharacteristics of each VAP element and preferably solved by mechanicalimprovement or the like.

However, a degradation in responsiveness is caused due to the abovereason, which cannot be neglected for vibration correction performance.As a countermeasure for control, in this embodiment, an appropriate gainis set in accordance with the vibration amplitude, thereby changing thegain in accordance with the amplitude of the periodical vibrationapplied to the device, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7 (to bedescribed later).

In this embodiment, by using the above technique, satisfactorycorrection can be performed even for a vibration at 10 Hz or more forwhich correction is relatively difficult because of the characteristicsof the existing vibration gyroscope and the vibration correctionapparatus having a mechanism for performing polarization of the opticalaxis by mechanical driving, as described above.

Actually, the correction effect changes depending on the correctionvalue for phase advance and the frequency at which optimization isperformed (in this embodiment, optimization is performed at 10 Hz).However, when camera shake correction is mainly considered, i.e., whenfrequency adaptive control is not performed, the correction effect for afrequency of 10 Hz or more is degraded.

The control system of this embodiment using the VAP as the imagecorrection unit 5 will be described below in detail. To realize thecharacteristics of the HPF 202, the integration unit 203, and thephase/gain correction unit 204 in FIG. 1 in the microcomputer 20, adigital filter must be used. As such a digital filter, for example, aprimary IIR filter shown in FIG. 11 can be used. In FIG. 11, the digitalfilter is realized by the following calculations:

u0=a0ow0+a1ow1

w0=e0+a2ow1

w1=w0 (w1 is a state variable)

where

e0: input

u0: output

a0, a1, and a2: filter coefficients

Z⁻¹: a transfer function deciding a characteristic of a digital filter(Z-conversion).

When the filter coefficients a0, a1, and a2 are changed, the frequencycharacteristic can be set. Data of the corresponding filter coefficientsa0, a1, and a2 are prepared as a table. The above calculations for theIIR filter can be performed using the filter coefficients obtained uponretrieval in the above table.

Since the HPF 202, the integration unit 203, and the phase/gaincorrection unit 204 are realized using a digital filter, the samplingperiod must be relatively high (e.g., 1 kHz or more). However, thepan/tilt determination unit 205 and the frequency/amplitude detectionunit 206 for determining the panning/tilting and photographing statescan be set for processing at a relatively low period (e.g., 100 Hz).

The processing of the microcomputer 20 in normal vibration correctionwith this arrangement (when the calibration switch 9 is OFF) will bedescribed below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 7A is a flow chart associated with calculation of a vibrationangular displacement signal for driving the image correction unit 5 suchas a VAP.

In step S100, processing is started.

In step S101, an angular velocity signal from the angular velocitysensor constituting the angular velocity detection unit 1 is supplied tothe A/D converter 201 through the HPF 2 and the amplifier 3, convertedinto a digital signal, supplied to the microcomputer 20, and stored.

In step S102, the calculation coefficient (corresponding to each filtercoefficient in FIG. 11) of the HPF 202 is loaded from a ROM (not shown).

In step S103, HPF calculation of the angular velocity signal input instep S101 is performed, thereby removing DC and offset components.

In step S104, the integration calculation coefficient for theintegration unit 203 is loaded from the ROM (not shown), thereby settingthe characteristics of the integration unit 203.

In step S105, the angular velocity signal for which HPF calculation isperformed in step S103 is integrated by the integration unit 203 inaccordance with the integration coefficient and converted into anangular displacement signal.

At this time, the integration unit 203 can obtain vibration correctioncharacteristics according to the vibration frequency and amplitudedetected by the frequency/amplitude detection unit 206, as describedabove, so that the optimum vibration correction signal according to thevibration frequency can be obtained.

In step S106, the angular displacement signal obtained in step S104 isstored.

In step S107, the phase/gain correction coefficient for the phase/gaincorrection unit 204 is loaded to determine the correctioncharacteristics of the phase/gain correction unit 204, therebyperforming optimum phase/gain correction according to thecharacteristics of the control system.

In step S108, correction calculation of the angular displacement signalobtained in step S105 is performed in accordance with the determinationof the vibration frequency/amplitude and the photographing state,thereby generating a vibration correction control signal.

More specifically, the center frequency of the vibration is detected,and the frequency characteristic of the vibration suppressing force ofthe vibration correction means is set in accordance with the centerfrequency. With this processing, vibration correction can be effectivelyperformed with respect to the vibration frequency.

In step S109, the control signal obtained in step S108 is converted intoan analog value by the D/A converter (not shown) in the phase/gaincorrection unit 204 or output as, e.g., a PWM pulse output (not shown)from the microcomputer 20.

In step S110, if noise is large, LPF calculation of the angular velocitysignal used for calculation for vibration frequency/amplitude detection,which is used in processing in FIG. 7B (to be described later), isperformed, thereby removing the noise.

In step S111, the angular velocity signal obtained in step S110 isstored for preparation for the next operation shown in FIG. 7B.

In step S112, the processing is ended.

FIG. 7B is a flow chart showing processing associated with vibrationfrequency/amplitude detection, detection of the panning/tilting andphotographing states, setting of each calculation coefficient, and thelike by the pan/tilt determination unit 205 and the frequency/amplitudedetection unit 206.

In step S113, processing is started.

In step S114, the angular velocity signal stored in step S111 of FIG. 7Ais loaded.

In step S115, the angular displacement signal stored in step S106 isloaded. Note that the order of steps S114 and S115 may be reversed.

In step S116, upon reception of the angular velocity signal and theangular displacement signal obtained in steps S114 and S115, the centerfrequency and amplitude of the vibration applied to the device aredetected.

The vibration amplitude is effectively used for correction processingrequired when, in an image correction apparatus such as a VAP driven bya servo mechanism, the servo characteristics degrade due to a smallamplitude (the follow-up amplitude decreases, i.e., follow-up isdisabled in the dead band).

For example, in the vibration correction apparatus using the VAPcontrolled by a servo mechanism, a degradation in responsiveness, whichcannot be neglected for vibration correction performance, is caused dueto the mechanical structure or shaft friction for a relatively smallvibration (e.g., 0.03 deg or less). In this embodiment, therefore, anappropriate gain is set in accordance with the vibration amplitude,thereby changing the gain in accordance with the amplitude of theperiodical vibration applied to the device.

In step S117, upon reception of the angular velocity signal and theangular displacement signal obtained in steps S114 and S115, and thevibration center frequency and amplitude detected in step S116, thepanning/tilting and photographing states are determined.

In step S118, on the basis of the determination result of thepanning/tilting and photographing states, the HPF calculationcoefficient and the integration calculation coefficient are set. Morespecifically, when the device is in a panning/tilting state, the lowcut-off frequency of the integration unit 203 is shifted to the highfrequency side, thereby suppressing integration of the low-frequencyvibration. With this processing, correction of a very low frequencyvibration (panning/tilting) including a DC component is not performed,so that the VAP is prevented from coming to the end.

In addition, the frequency correction coefficient is set in accordancewith the vibration center frequency and amplitude obtained in step S116.

In step S119, the processing is ended.

The coefficients according to the panning/tilting and photographing(observing) states are obtained by experience, and a data table preparedin advance is retrieved. To the contrary, the frequency correctioncoefficient is retrieved from a data table set in units of frequencies.The coefficient of the digital filter formed in the microcomputer 20, asshown in FIG. 11, is changed to change the frequency characteristic.

However, in the vibration correction block 30 which uses a VAP (opticaldriving means) driven by a servo mechanism using a voice coil motor orthe like as an actuator for driving the VAP 5 serving as an imagecorrection means, to improve the follow-up properties to a controlsignal, a servo control technique, i.e., phase advance/delaycompensation, velocity feedback compensation, and change of loop gainare used to improve the frequency characteristic (improve the follow-upproperties). However, a degradation in responsiveness, which cannot beneglected for vibration correction performance, is caused due to themechanical structure or shaft friction for a relatively small vibration(e.g., 0.03 deg or less).

In this embodiment, therefore, an appropriate gain is set in accordancewith the vibration amplitude, thereby changing the gain in accordancewith the amplitude of the periodical vibration applied to the device.

However, as described above, a degradation in responsiveness (follow-upproperties), which cannot be neglected for performance, is caused insome cases with respect to a relatively small vibration (e.g., 0.03 degor less) due to a mechanical degradation such as shaft friction andelement deformation caused by the temperature and time change. Inaddition, variations in VAPs are large.

In the vibration correction apparatus using the VAP controlled by aservo mechanism, the control center position sometimes shifts due tovariations in loads such as the temperature or degradation with time.The driving limit of the VAP also varies due to the temperature, achange in element with time, or consumption of the battery.

Since variations in optical axis adjustment are large, the vibrationcannot often be completely absorbed only by adjustment using the offsetof an output signal from the one-chip microcomputer.

To solve these problems, according to this embodiment, a vibrationcorrection characteristic measurement function and a calibrationfunction are introduced.

The calibration function is realized by a calibration block 207 providedin the microcomputer 20. The calibration block 207 is connected to thedriving unit 4 in the vibration correction block 30 through acontrol/data bus B to allow two-way communication. The calibration block207 supplies, to the driving unit 4, a test signal for forcibly drivingthe VAP in the image correction unit 5 with a reference driving signalhaving an arbitrary frequency and amplitude, and receives the responsecharacteristics, thereby correcting variations in VAPs, a change withtime, and variations in various characteristics.

The calibration block 207 has a means for changing the frequencycharacteristic of the phase/gain correction unit 204 to detect theresponse characteristics of the VAP and correct the frequencycharacteristic (gain/phase) of the control system. A control instructionis supplied through a control data line C which is branched from the busB and connected to the phase/gain correction unit 204. With thisarrangement, a phase delay and a gain error of the VAP are corrected.

The data lines T1 to T5 representing the operation states of the ISswitch 7, the battery check switch 8, the calibration switch 9, and theobserver detection unit 10 are supplied to the calibration block 207. Acalibration operation can be performed in accordance with these signals.

A switch for designating the calibration operation can be freely set.This will be described later in detail.

The calibration block 207 drives the VAP at an arbitrary frequency andamplitude, detects the response amplitude and phase shift with respectto the reference driving signal, and transfers a correction coefficientaccording to the response amplitude and phase shift to the phase/gaincorrection unit 204 through the control/data line C to change thefrequency characteristic of the phase/gain correction unit 204, therebycorrecting the gain and phase shift.

The waveform of the reference driving signal is written in advance inthe ROM incorporated in the microcomputer 20. When a response waveformis received using the incorporated A/D converter, the reference signalis read out and compared with the response waveform. With thisprocessing, the frequency characteristic can be obtained. Therefore, noadditional element is needed to add the calibration function.

As is apparent from FIG. 1, two vibration detection systems and twovibration correction systems are arranged in the YAW and PITCHdirections, respectively. The two systems independently detect avibration and perform a correction operation. Their control systems canbe identical although the direction of vibration to be corrected in onesystem is different from that of the other system.

In this embodiment, therefore, only the YAW-direction vibrationcorrection system will be described. As for the PITCH direction, thesame reference numerals and symbols with a prime (′) denote the sameconstituent elements as in the YAW-direction arrangement, and a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

The image correction means are individually provided in the YAW andPITCH directions. However, the vibration correction means such as a VAPis commonly used, as a matter of course, and actuators for driving theVAP are individually provided in the respective vibration correctiondirections.

When the present invention is applied to a binocular as shown in FIGS.13 and 14, two vibration correction systems including VAPs are providedon the left and right sides. This means that one more set of vibrationcorrection systems in the YAW and PITCH directions in FIG. 1 isprovided. However, the arrangement is the same, and an illustration anddescription thereof will be omitted. FIG. 18 only schematically showsthe arrangement (to be described later).

Referring to FIG. 1, in a normal vibration correction operation, aswitching block 208 supplies an output from the phase/gain correctionunit 204 to the vibration correction block 30. In a calibrationoperation (to be described later), the switching block 208 switchesvarious control and data lines to connect the bus B to the vibrationcorrection block such that a driving waveform output from thecalibration block 207 is supplied to the vibration correction block 30.The switching block 208 serves as an I/O port for the vibrationcorrection block 30.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal arrangement of thecalibration block 207 for performing the calibration operation and thevibration correction block 30, and connections therebetween.

As for the internal arrangement of the calibration block 207, a test VAPdriving waveform is stored in a ROM 207 a in advance. A driving signalgeneration unit 207 b reads out the VAP driving waveform from the ROM207 a and outputs the VAP driving waveform having predeterminedfrequency and amplitude to the driving unit 4 through the bus B. Thetest VAP driving waveform is also supplied to an offset correction unit207 c (to be described later).

The offset correction unit 207 c comprises a frequency characteristicdetection means for detecting the actual response characteristics of theVAP with respect to the test VAP driving waveform generated by thedriving signal generation unit 207 b, and an offset correction means forcomparing the VAP driving waveform with the response characteristics todetect shifts in phase and frequency of the control system, a shift inoptical axis center of the VAP, and a shift in driving range of the VAP,thereby correcting these offsets.

The offset correction unit 207 c stores the detection results of thefrequency and phase characteristics of the VAP driving system in theEEPROM 6. The stored characteristics (i.e., offset information) are readout in the next use to correct the characteristics of the VAP drivingcircuit so that the VAP is always driven with the optimumcharacteristics.

The offset correction unit 207 c loads the test VAP driving signal andthe corresponding actual VAP response signal from an angulardisplacement encoder 4 e. If the center of the vibration waveform has anoffset from level 0 in FIG. 3 (when the center shifts), the offsetamount information is supplied to the driving signal generation unit 207b such that the level of the test VAP driving signal shifts to equalizeits level with the reference level (level 0) as the center of vibrationof the response waveform of the VAP.

With this processing, in FIG. 3, the phase delay between the test VAPdriving waveform and the response waveform can be properly detected.

Since the value stored in the EEPROM 6 is updated every time thecalibration operation is performed, the optimum driving state can beobtained even when a change in environment, such as a time change and achange in temperature, occurs. Information unchangeable after themanufacture need not be updated.

The internal arrangement of the driving unit 4 has a phase compensationunit 4 a, an amplifier 4 b, and a driver 4 c for driving the VAP servingas the image correction unit 5.

An angular velocity encoder 4 d detects the angular velocity of the VAP.By feeding back the angular velocity to the input side of the drivingunit 4 by an adder 4 h, as in FIG. 2, velocity feedback compensation isperformed.

The angular displacement encoder 4 e detects the moving amount of theVAP serving as the image correction unit 5. As shown in FIG. 2, themoving amount information is fed back to the input side of the phasecompensation unit 4 a, by an adder 4 g thereby constituting adisplacement loop.

By offset adjustment of an output value from the angular displacementencoder 4 e, i.e., by applying a bias to the angular displacementencoder 4 e through a D/A converter 4 f, the angular displacement of theVAP can be changed to correct the shift in optical axis.

The output from the angular displacement encoder 4 e is supplied to theoffset correction unit 207 c in the calibration block 207. In the offsetcorrection unit 207 c, the signal supplied from the angular displacementencoder 4 e is compared with the VAP driving waveform, the frequencycharacteristic of the VAP including the driving unit 4 is calculated,and the offset in optical axis is corrected. This optical axiscorrection is performed by applying a bias to the angular displacementencoder 4 e through the D/A converter 4 f to change the angle of theVAP. The EEPROM 6 stores these adjustment values, i.e., offsetinformation.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a method of measuring a phase delay. First,the offset in VAP response waveform with respect to the test VAP drivingwaveform (pseudo vibration signal) output from the holding frame 107 iscanceled. In the timing chart FIG. 3, the vertical axis representsamplitudes of signal wave forms, the horizontal axis (t) represents atime. t1, t2, . . . represent a delay time period of VAP response signal(zero crossing) with respect to VAP driving signal.

As shown in FIG. 3, a time difference tn in timing for crossing thecenter values of the pseudo vibration signal and the VAP responsewaveform is measured, and the time differences within a set period T areaveraged, thereby calculating the phase delay.

As for a timing for performing characteristic measurement andcalibration, a single dedicated switch (calibration switch 9) isarranged such that calibration can be performed at arbitrary time.Alternatively, as in the observer detection unit 10, an eye detectionmeans for detecting reflected light from the eye EYE by using thelight-emitting/light-receiving sensor 131 as shown in FIG. 12 is used todetect that the photographing operation is about to be performed. Inthis case, it is determined whether an observer is looking through thefinder. When the IS switch 7 and the battery check switch 8 aredepressed while the observer is not looking through the finder,calibration is started, and the response amplitude and phase shift aredetected.

More specifically, while the observer is performing a photographingoperation, or looking at an object, calibration is not performed. Whenthe observer is not looking at the object, calibration is performed.With this arrangement, the observer can be prevented from looking anunnatural image.

Processing of the microcomputer 20 in characteristic measurement andcalibration operation in this embodiment will be described below withreference to the flow chart of FIG. 4. In this example, calibration isperformed without using the ON/OFF switch dedicated to calibration(calibration switch 9).

In step S200, processing is started.

In step S201, the state of the IS switch 7 for selecting theoperative/inoperative state of the vibration correction function isdetected. If the IS switch 7 is ON, the flow advances to step S202 toperform vibration correction.

In step S202, it is determined by the observer detection unit (eyepieceunit sensor) 10 whether the operator (observer) is observing an objectthrough the finder. If YES in step S202, the flow advances to step S211to execute the routine of a normal vibration correction operation. If NOin step S202, the flow advances to step S203 to execute the calibrationoperation.

To prevent the calibration operation from being repeatedly performedwithin a predetermined period of time due to an erroneous operation orthe like, if the subsequent calibration operation is performed withinthe predetermined period of time, the flow may return to step S201instead of advancing to step S203.

In step S203, a VAP center reference holding signal is output from thecalibration block 207 in the microcomputer 20 such that the optical axisof the VAP coincides with that of the photographing system. In initialadjustment, polarization of the VAP matches the optical center. However,in the VAP controlled by the servo mechanism as shown in FIG. 5, thecontrol position actually shifts mainly due to shaft friction or elementdeformation caused by the temperature and time change.

When the center reference holding signal for positioning the VAP at theoptical axis center is applied, the light beam is polarized from theoptical center.

In step S204, processing of performing offset correction of opticalpolarization is performed. More specifically, to cope with the abovephenomenon, an offset is applied to the VAP center reference holdingsignal such that the output from the angle sensor coincides with thestored value of the optical center position obtained in initialadjustment. This correction offset value is stored in the EEPROM 6.

In step S205, a pseudo driving waveform is output from the calibrationblock 207 in the microcomputer 20.

The pseudo driving waveform has been stored on the ROM 207 a in thecalibration block 207, so that various driving waveforms (amplitudes andfrequencies) can be set.

In step S206, the angular displacement signal output from the angulardisplacement encoder 4 e for detecting the angular displacement of theVAP is fetched by the calibration block 207 through the bus B. At thistime, the angular displacement signal is A/D-converted in the offsetcorrection unit 207 c.

In step S207, the VAP driving waveform (pseudo driving waveform)supplied from the calibration block 207 is compared with the VAPresponse waveform, thereby obtaining the shift in responsecharacteristics, i.e., the gain and phase delay, as described above withreference to FIG. 3.

In step S208, the VAP response characteristics detected in step S207(i.e., the frequency characteristic) are calculated. On the basis of thecalculation result, the optimum correction parameter (frequencycharacteristic correction coefficient) is selected from the data tablewhich stores a plurality of frequency correction coefficients preparedin advance.

In step S209, the frequency correction coefficient is stored in theEEPROM 6. With this calibration processing, in the routine of the normalvibration correction operation shown in step S211, the correctionparameter (data table) stored in the EEPROM 6 is used to controlvibration correction. Therefore, even when a mechanical error or a timechange in element itself is present, the error can be corrected tooperate the device with the optimum characteristics.

In step S210, the calibration operation is ended, and the processing isended.

In the above calibration operation, the measurement frequency andamplitude of the VAP driving waveform (pseudo driving waveform) can bearbitrarily set. To recognize the characteristics, measurement at one ortwo points performed in accordance with a typical frequency andamplitude suffices. For characteristics shown in FIG. 10, measurement at10 Hz and ±0.1 deg can be performed to select the correction parameter.

With the above arrangement, when calibration is performed in thisembodiment, optimum vibration correction (adaptive control) can beperformed in correspondence with the mechanical degradation such asshaft friction or element deformation caused by the temperature and timechange.

[Second Embodiment]

In the first embodiment, calibration processing associated with thefrequency characteristic of a VAP driving signal has been mainlydescribed. Additionally, calibration of the VAP driving range is alsoeffective.

In some cases, the driving range (polarization enable range) decreasesas compared to the initial state due to the temperature and time changeof a VAP element and the like. When a single VAP unit is used, adecrease in vibration correction range mainly poses a problem. However,particularly in, e.g., a binocular using a plurality of sets of VAPunits, as will be described below, a difference in observation fieldsbetween the left and right optical systems may be caused, resulting in adiscomfort to the observer.

As an optical device having two or more independent image correctionmeans, FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a binocular incorporatingleft and right independent VAP units.

Referring to FIG. 13, reference numeral 400 denotes a binocular mainbody; 401L and 401R, objective lens units; and 402L and 402R, a pair ofeyepiece prism unit main bodies provided in the binocular main body 400.

A dioptric/focus adjustment mechanism 403 is arranged between theobjective lens units 401L and 401R.

Reference numeral 404 denotes a focus adjustment ring; and 405, adioptric adjustment ring.

Vibration detection sensors (not shown) for detecting vibrations in thevertical and horizontal directions are fixed to the binocular main body400.

A correction operation switch 7 is used to set the operative/inoperativestate of vibration correction and operated by, e.g., a depressingoperation.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the vibrationcorrection apparatus in the binocular. Reference numeral 301 denotes anobjective lens group including a focus lens; 302L, a VAP unit; 303, anerect prism; 304, as eyepiece lens group; 306, a control circuit board;and 305, a battery for supplying power to the vibration correctionapparatus.

The VAP unit 302L is arranged on the left side of the binocular.However, a VAP unit 302R provided on the right side is also present, asa matter of course. The VAP units 302L and 302R are mechanicallyarranged in a symmetrical layout. However, the left and right inertialforces differ from each other in some cases because of its structure.

A calibration operation by a microcomputer 20 in the second embodimentwill be described below. In the second embodiment, two sets of left andright vibration correction blocks are arranged in the YAW and PITCHdirections to perform calibration processing for the binocular.

Therefore, unlike the above first embodiment using only a singlevibration correction system (calibration of a single VAP), balanceadjustment between the left and right vibration correction systems isimportant.

Although FIG. 1 only shows a single vibration detection/correctionsystem, one more single vibration detection/correction system as shownin FIG. 1 is arranged in the microcomputer 20, and these systemsconstitute the left and right vibration detection/correction systems ofthe binocular, respectively. Balance adjustment between the left andright systems is performed by the microcomputer 20. FIG. 18 is a blockdiagram showing the arrangement of the vibration detection/correctionsystem of the binocular. Referring to FIG. 18, the right-side opticalsystem will be described first. Reference numerals 1R and 1R′ denoteYAW- and PITCH-direction angular velocity detection units. YAW- andPITCH-direction vibration correction blocks 30R and 30R′ are connectedto the right-side VAP 302R.

In the microcomputer 20, YAW- and PITCH direction integration units 203Rand 203R′, and YAW- and PITCH-direction phase/gain correction units 204Rand 204R′ are arranged.

The left-side optical system will be described. YAW- and PITCH directionangular velocity detection units 1L and 1L′ are commonly used as theangular velocity detection units 1R and 1R′ of the right-side opticalsystem. With this arrangement, identical angular velocity signals can besupplied to the left and right optical systems. YAW- and PITCH-directionvibration correction blocks 30L and 30L′ are connected to the left-sideVAP 302L.

In the microcomputer 20, YAW- and PITCH direction integration units 203Land 203L′, and YAW- and PITCH-direction phase/gain correction units 204Land 204L′ are arranged.

A calibration block 207 performs calibration of the right-side vibrationcorrection system in the YAW and PITCH directions and calibration of theleft-side vibration correction system in the YAW and PITCH directions. Atest driving signal in the calibration operation and outputs from thephase/gain correction units 204R, 204R′, 204L, and 204L′ in a normalvibration correction operation are appropriately switched by a switchingblock 208 in accordance with the operation mode and supplied to thecorresponding vibration correction block.

An EEPROM 6 stores offset information of these four systems.

The microcomputer 20 detects the offset information of each of the leftand right optical systems, which consists of shifts in frequencycharacteristic of the phase/gain in the YAW and PITCH directions, ashift from the reference value of the driving range, and a shift fromthe initial position (reference position) and corrects the offsetinformation, thereby performing correction of the drivingcharacteristics of each of the left and right vibrationdetection/correction systems and balance adjustment between the left andright systems.

Processing on the microcomputer 20 in characteristic measurement andcalibration of the second embodiment will be described below withreference to the flow chart of FIG. 15. In this case, assume that aswitch for turning on the power and a switch for designating thecalibration mode are provided.

The VAP control/driving system has the same circuit arrangement as inthe first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and processing is executedby the microcomputer 20.

When processing is started, and the power is turned on in step S300, theflow advances to step S301. An observer detection unit 10 determineswhether observation by the observer is performed, i.e., whether theobserver is looking through the finder.

If YES in step S301, the flow advances to step S302 to perform a normalvibration correction operation, and the flow returns to step S301.

If NO in step S301, the flow advances to step S303 to detect the stateof the calibration switch 9. If the calibration switch 9 is ON, the flowadvances to step S304; otherwise, the flow advances to step S305.

In step S304, it is determined on the basis of the state of thecalibration end flag whether the calibration operation is completed. IfYES in step S304, the flow advances to step S305 to stop the correctionoperation of the VAP driving-system (mechanically fix the VAP), and theflow returns to step S301. With this processing, no waste correctionoperation (VAP driving) is performed so that a power saving effect canbe obtained.

If, in step S304, the calibration end flag is not set, and thecalibration operation is not completed yet, the flow advances to stepS306.

In step S306, a VAP center reference holding signal is output from thecalibration block 207 of the microcomputer 20. As in the calibrationoperation described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 4,optical polarization offset correction of the left-side VAP drivingsystem is performed in step S307. With this processing, optical axiscorrection of the left-side VAP is performed.

In step S308, as on the left side, optical polarization offsetcorrection on the right side is performed. With this processing, opticalaxis correction of the right-side VAP is performed, thereby completingoptical axis offset correction of the left and right VAPS.

In step S309, a VAP driving waveform (pseudo driving waveform) is outputfrom the calibration block 207 in the microcomputer 20 to confirm theVAP movable range. This processing is performed to confirm the VAPmovable range, and a signal having an amplitude larger than the maximumvalue of the normal VAP movable range is output.

In step S310, an angular displacement signal from an angulardisplacement encoder 4 e for detecting the angular displacement of theVAP is A/D-converted and fetched by the calibration block 207.

In step S311, the driving waveform is compared with the responsewaveform, and the movable range of each of the left and right VAPdriving systems is measured.

In step S312, the VAP driving range is set on the basis of the resultobtained in step S311, and correction is performed to equalize thedriving ranges of the left and right VAPs with each other. Note that theoffset correction amounts of the left and right VAP driving systems arestored in the EEPROM 6 and used as the next default values.

In this case, to set the VAP driving range, correction ofcharacteristics as shown in FIG. 10 must be performed within a range formaintaining identical fields on the left and right sides. Morespecifically, the left and right VAPs are constituted to be operatedwith the same characteristics (within the driving limit, i.e., withinthe range for obtaining the same response characteristics at thereference position serving as an optical axis center in the initialstate).

Setting (correction) of the VAP driving range is realized by supplyingoffset information to the phase/gain correction units 204 and 204′through a control data line C in FIG. 1, limiting the dynamic range byproviding a limiter to the D/A converter in the phase/gain correctionunits 204 and 204′, and limiting the amplitude of a vibration correctioncontrol signal.

The driving limit is set in a range much smaller than the smaller one ofthe left and right VAPS. With this processing, the left and right VAPscan be stably driven in a good balance while leaving a margin in themovable range.

The calibration operation is ended. In step S313, the calibration endflag is set, and the flow returns to step S301.

In an actual application, the left and right driving ranges can beindependently set in the YAW and PITCH directions (one of them is fixednear the center).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, optimumvibration correction (adaptive control) can be performed incorrespondence with a mechanical degradation such as shaft friction orelement deformation caused by the temperature and time change.Particularly, in an optical system such as a binocular having aplurality of vibration correction optical systems, balance adjustmentnot only between the individual vibration correction systems but alsobetween the left and right correction systems can be simultaneouslyperformed.

[Third Embodiment]

The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

In a vibration correction apparatus using a VAP unit controlled by aservo mechanism, polarization of a light beam has an offset with respectto an expected optical axis (initial state) when a reference positionholding signal is applied because of a mechanical degradation such asshaft friction or element deformation caused by the temperature, a timechange, and a posture difference.

The shift in optical axis sometimes causes a discomfort to the observerwhen two optical systems are used for a binocular, though the offset isnegligible in a single optical system.

In the third embodiment, therefore, correction can be performed not onlyin a calibration operation, as a matter of course, but also particularlyin a vibration correction operation when each of the left and rightsignals obviously has an offset, such that the left and right signalscoincide with each other.

More specifically, in an IS operation (vibration correction), when anoutput from the angle sensor of each of the left and right VAPs changeswhile maintaining a predetermined displacement with respect to thevibration control signal within the low-frequency band wheresatisfactory follow-up properties are ensured, the offset is graduallychanged to perform correction.

In the third embodiment as well, the VAP control system has the samearrangement as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and adetailed description thereof will be omitted.

Processing executed by the microcomputer 20 in the third embodiment willbe described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 16.

Processing in the flow chart of FIG. 16 can be executed during a normalvibration correction operation, and step S400 represents that thevibration correction operation is being performed.

In step S401, it is determined on the basis of the state of the offsetadjustment flag whether offset adjustment is being performed. If YES instep S401, the flow advances to step S404 to perform the adjustmentoperation. If NO in step S401, the flow advances to step S402.

In step S402, a difference between a VAP driving signal a for performingvibration correction, which is supplied from a microcomputer 20 to adriving unit 4 in a vibration correction block 30, and an angulardisplacement signal b output from an angular displacement encoder 4 e,i.e., |a−b| is calculated and compared with the initial state. If thedisplacement difference is larger than a predetermined average set valuec, the flow advances to step S403; otherwise, the flow returns to stepS400.

In step S403, the offset adjustment flag is set, and offset adjustmentis performed in step S404 to decrease the difference |a−b|. Morespecifically, the offset output is changed by a predetermined value suchthat the displacement difference decreases (as will be described later,to correct the offset output, a technique using a dedicated adjustmentmechanism or a technique for adding an offset to the VAP driving signaloutput from the microcomputer 20 is used).

In step S405, it is checked whether the displacement difference betweenthe VAP driving signal and the angle sensor signal is “0”. If YES instep S405, the flow advances to step S406; otherwise, the flow returnsto step S400.

In step S406, the offset adjustment flag is reset to end offsetadjustment, and the flow returns to step S400.

In the vibration correction apparatus using the VAP unit controlled by aservo mechanism, polarization of a light beam has an offset with respectto an expected optical axis when a reference position holding signal isapplied because of a mechanical degradation such as shaft friction orelement deformation caused by the temperature, a time change, and aposture difference.

The shift in optical axis sometimes causes a discomfort to the observerwhen two optical systems are used for a binocular, though the offset isnegligible in a single optical system.

In the third embodiment, therefore, correction is performed not only ina calibration operation, as a matter of course, but also particularly ina vibration correction operation when each of the left and right signalsobviously has an offset, such that the left and right signals coincidewith each other. With this arrangement, satisfactory observation can beperformed while the left and right optical axes coincide with eachother. Particularly, since this offset adjustment can be performed inthe normal vibration correction operation, the operability is largelyimproved without causing the observer to feel the calibration operation.In addition, proper observation can always be performed without causinga sense of incompatibility in an image.

[Fourth Embodiment]

The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.In a binocular incorporating two sets of VAP units as shown in FIG. 14,VAP units 302L and 302R are mechanically arranged in a symmetricallayout.

That is, the left and right inertial forces are different because of itsstructure. Additionally, in the above VAP unit, an output from theangular displacement-detector with respect to the optical axis centerposition of the VAP shifts because of the attachment error of theangular displacement detection element. Therefore, offset adjustmentmust be performed.

To adjust an offset with respect to an output from the angulardisplacement detector, initial adjustment is performed such that a lightbeam passing through the VAP coincides with the optical axis while a VAPcenter reference position holding signal is output from themicrocomputer. This processing can be realized by adding an offset tothe VAP center reference position holding signal. However, theadjustment range must be set large in accordance with the magnificationof variations in offset caused by elements or mechanical structure, andthis results in a decrease in dynamic range. A D/A converter with a highresolution may be used, though this device is expensive.

As shown in FIG. 2, therefore, an inexpensive D/A converter 4 f with alow resolution externally arranged or incorporated in a one-chipmicrocomputer is combined with offset addition to the VAP drivingsignal.

More specifically, coarse adjustment is performed by the inexpensive D/Aconverter with a low resolution, and fine adjustment is performed byusing an offset of the vibration control signal.

When these two adjustment means are controlled by the microcomputer 20,adjustment can be naturally performed. With this arrangement, highlyprecise offset adjustment can be performed in a wide range.

To measure the optical polarization position signal of the VAP, atechnique for receiving a light beam such as a laser beam passingthrough the VAP by using a PSD, or the like, can be employed.

Processing on the microcomputer 20 in this embodiment will be describedbelow with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 17.

When processing is started, a measured VAP optical center positionsignal d is compared with a VAP optical polarization position signal e(a polarization displacement signal from the center position of a lightbeam which is perpendicularly incident) in step S501. If the differencebetween the two signals is “on”, the flow advances to step S502;otherwise, the flow advances to step S506.

In step S502, coarse adjustment is performed by the inexpensive D/Aconverter with a low resolution. More specifically, a predetermined biasis applied to the value of an angular displacement encoder 4 e by theD/A converter 4 f in FIG. 2, thereby coarsely adjusting the VAPreference position.

In step S503, if the difference between the VAP optical center positionsignal d and the VAP optical polarization position signal e is smallerthan a predetermined value f, the flow advances to step S404. The valuef is set as the adjustment limit value of the D/A converter 4 f with alow resolution.

In step S504, fine adjustment is performed by adding an offset to theVAP control signal supplied from the microcomputer 20 to the drivingunit 4. This fine adjustment is highly precisely performed by finelyadjusting the level of the vibration correction control signal suppliedfrom a phase/gain correction unit 204 to a vibration correction block30.

In step S505, the VAP optical center position signal d is compared withthe VAP optical polarization position signal e (a polarizationdisplacement signal from the center position of a light beam which isperpendicularly incident). If the difference |d−e| between the twosignals is “0”, the flow advances to step S506 to end the offsetadjustment operation; otherwise, the flow returns to step S504. StepS506 represents the end of the adjustment operation.

Although adjustment for only one axis has been described above,adjustment for four axes on the left and right sides in the YAW andPITCH directions is required in the binocular shown in FIG. 14.

In the vibration correction apparatus using the VAP unit controlled by aservo mechanism, polarization of a light beam has an offset with respectto an expected optical axis when a reference position holding signal isapplied because of a mechanical degradation such as shaft friction orelement deformation caused by the temperature, a time change, and aposture difference. The shift in optical axis sometimes causes adiscomfort to the observer when two optical systems are used for abinocular, though the offset is negligible in a single optical system.

In the fourth embodiment, therefore, correction is performed stepwise ina calibration operation or in a vibration correction operation when eachof the left and right signals obviously has an offset, such that theleft and right signals coincide with each other. With this arrangement,satisfactory observation can be performed while the left and rightoptical axes coincide with each other.

In the above embodiments, the vibration detection means for detecting avibration can be embodied by the angular velocity detection unit 1.Similarly, in the embodiment, the movement correction means forcorrecting the movement of an image due to the vibration on the basis ofan output from the vibration detection means mainly can be embodied bythe integration unit 203 and a phase/gain correction unit 204 in amicrocomputer 20 and a driving unit 4 and an image correction unit 5 ina vibration correction block 30. In the embodiment, the control meansfor detecting the response characteristics of the movement correctionmeans with respect to the predetermined driving signal and correctingthe driving characteristics of the movement correction means on thebasis of the detection result can be embodied by the calibration block207 in the microcomputer 20.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thecontrol means detects a response amplitude and a phase shift of themovement correction means with respect to the driving signal and changesa transfer frequency characteristic of a control system consisting ofthe vibration detection means and the movement correction means inaccordance with the response amplitude and the phase shift.

With the above arrangement, the response characteristics of the movementcorrection means with respect to the test driving signal are detected,and a shift in actual response characteristics with respect to an idealfrequency characteristic is corrected, so that the change incharacteristics caused by a mechanical error such as shaft friction orelement deformation caused by the temperature and time change can becorrected.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied bythe processing of changing the frequency characteristic of thephase/gain correction unit 204.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein saidcontrol means detects the response amplitude and the phase shift of saidmovement correction means with respect to the driving signal andcorrects a transfer gain and a phase of said control system consistingof said vibration detection means and said movement correction means.

With the above arrangement, the response amplitude and the phase shiftof the movement correction means with respect to the test driving signalare detected, and the transfer gain and the phase shift of the controlsystem consisting of the movement detection means and the movementcorrection means are corrected. Therefore, the change in frequencycharacteristic caused by a mechanical error such as shaft friction orelement deformation caused by the temperature and time change can becorrected so that the optimum characteristics can be obtained regardlessof the difference between individual devices.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied byprocessing of changing the frequency characteristic of the gain andphase of the phase/gain correction unit 204.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thecontrol means detects a driving range of the movement correction meanswith respect to the driving signal, calculates an offset with respect toa predetermined driving range reference value, and corrects a drivinglimit of the movement correction means in accordance with the offset.

With the above arrangement, the offset of the movement correction meanswith respect to the driving range reference value is detected so thatthe driving limit of the movement correction means is corrected to theoptimum value.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied byprocessing of arranging a limiter to the D/A converter in the phase/gaincorrection unit 204 to prevent the VAP from falling outside apredetermined range in an embodiment.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thedriving signal is a signal for positioning the movement correction meansat a reference position, and the control means detects an offset of themovement correction means with respect to the reference position andcorrects an initial position of the movement correction means inaccordance with the offset.

With the above arrangement, the offset of the movement correction meanswith respect to the reference position is detected, the initial positionof the movement correction means is corrected, and the offset inmovement correction is corrected, so that the dynamic range incorrection can be set wide.

In this arrangement, the driving signal is a signal for positioning themovement correction means at the reference position. Processing of thecontrol means can be embodied by processing for biasing an output froman angular displacement encoder 4 e by a D/A converter 4 f in thedriving unit 4.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein saidmovement correction means is optical vibration correction meansincluding a variable angle prism.

With the above arrangement, degradation and change in drivingcharacteristics due to a mechanical error such as element deformationcaused by the temperature and time change of the VAP are satisfactorilycorrected so that optimum control can be performed.

There are also provided the vibration correction apparatus, furthercomprising switching means for switching between an operative state andan inoperative state of the movement correction means, and wherein thecontrol means corrects the driving characteristics of the movementcorrection means in accordance with a switching operation of theswitching means and the vibration correction apparatus, furthercomprising power supply detection means for detecting and displaying aremaining amount of a power supply incorporated in the apparatus, andwherein the control means corrects the driving characteristics of themovement correction means in accordance with an operation of the powersupply detection means.

With the above arrangement, the detection/correction operation of thedriving characteristics of the movement correction means can beperformed while the photographing operation is not performed, i.e., whenthe operative and inoperative states of the movement correction means isswitched, or the battery is checked, at a good timing. Therefore,correction of the driving characteristics can be performed withoutimpeding the photographing operation.

In this arrangement, the switching means can be embodied by the ISswitch 7. The power supply detection means can be embodied by thebattery check switch 8.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, furthercomprising detection means for detecting that an operator observes aneyepiece unit of the vibration correction apparatus, and wherein thecontrol means inhibits correction of the driving characteristics of themovement correction means when the detection means detects that theoperator is observing through the eyepiece unit.

With the above arrangement, when the operator is observing an imagethrough the eyepiece unit of the vibration correction apparatus, thedetection/correction operation of the driving characteristics of themovement correction means is inhibited. Therefore, the photographingoperation can always be satisfactorily performed without impeding thephotographing operation.

In this arrangement, the detection means can be embodied by the observerdetection unit 10.

In the above embodiments, the vibration detection means for detectingthe vibration of the image pickup device main body can be embodied bythe angular velocity detection unit 1. The movement correction means forcorrecting the movement of the image due to the vibration on the basisof the output from the vibration detection means can be embodied by theintegration unit 203 and the phase/gain correction unit 204 in themicrocomputer 20 and the driving unit 4 and the image correction unit 5in the vibration correction block 30. The characteristic detection meansfor detecting the response characteristics of the movement correctionmeans with respect to the predetermined driving signal and calculatingthe offset between the detection result and the predetermined referencevalue can be embodied by the calibration block 207 in the microcomputer20. In the embodiment, the storage means for storing the offsetcalculated by the characteristic detection means corresponds to anEEPROM 6. In the embodiment, the control means for correcting thedriving characteristics of the movement correction means on the basis ofthe offset information stored in the storage means can be embodied bythe microcomputer 20 and the calibration block 207.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thecharacteristic detection means detects an offset in response amplitudeand phase of the movement correction means with respect to the drivingsignal, and the control means changes a transfer frequencycharacteristic of a control system consisting of the vibration detectionmeans and the movement correction means.

With the above arrangement, an offset in actual response characteristicswith respect to an ideal frequency characteristic can be detected.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can embodied byprocessing of changing the frequency characteristic of the phase/gaincorrection unit 204.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thecharacteristic detection means detects the offset in response amplitudeand phase of the movement correction means with respect to the drivingsignal, and the control means corrects a transfer gain and a phase of acontrol system consisting of the vibration detection means and themovement correction means.

With the above arrangement, the response amplitude and the phase shiftof the movement correction means with respect to the test driving signalare detected. In accordance with the response amplitude and the phaseshift, the transfer gain and the phase shift of the control systemconsisting of the movement detection means and the movement correctionmeans are corrected.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied byprocessing of changing the frequency characteristic of the phase/gaincorrection unit 204.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thecharacteristic detection means detects a driving range of the movementcorrection means with respect to the driving signal and calculates theoffset with respect to a predetermined driving range reference value,and the control means corrects the driving characteristics of themovement correction means in accordance with the offset.

With the above arrangement, the offset of the movement correction meanswith respect to the driving range is detected so that the driving limitof the movement correction means is corrected to the optimum value.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied byprocessing of arranging a limiter to the D/A converter in the phase/gaincorrection unit 204 to prevent the VAP from falling outside apredetermined range in an embodiment to be described later.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thedriving signal is a signal for positioning the movement correction meansat a reference position, the characteristic detection means detects theoffset of the movement correction means with respect to the referenceposition, and the control means corrects the driving characteristics ofthe movement correction means in accordance with the offset.

With the above arrangement, the offset of the movement correction meanswith respect to the reference position is detected, the initial positionof the movement correction means is corrected, and the offset inmovement correction is corrected, so that the dynamic range incorrection can be set wide.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied byprocessing of biasing an output from the angular displacement encoder 4e by the D/A converter 4 f in the driving unit 4.

In this arrangement, the first movement correction means for correctingthe movement of the image due to a vibration can be embodied by theright-side VAP, vibration correction blocks 30R and 30R′, integrationmeans 203R and 203R′ and phase/gain correction means 204R and 204R′ in amicrocomputer 20, and a driving system thereof arranged in theright-side optical system of the binocular. In the embodiment, thesecond movement correction means for correcting the movement of theimage due to the vibration can be embodied by the left-side VAP,vibration correction blocks 30L and 30L′, integration means 203L and203L′ and phase/gain correction means 204L and 204L′ in themicrocomputer 20, and a driving system thereof arranged in the left-sideoptical system of the binocular. In the embodiment, the control meanscan be embodied by a calibration block 207 in the microcomputer 20.

There are also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thecontrol means detects response amplitudes and phase shifts of the firstand second movement correction means with respect to the driving signaland performs correction in accordance with the response amplitudes andthe phase shifts such that transfer frequency characteristic of thefirst movement correction means are substantially equalized with thoseof the second movement correction means and the vibration correctionapparatus, wherein the control means detects response amplitudes andphase shifts of the first and second movement correction means withrespect to the driving signal and corrects gains and phases of the firstand second movement correction means in accordance with the responseamplitudes and the phase shifts.

With the above arrangement, the response amplitudes and the phase shiftsof the first and second movement correction means with respect to thedriving signal are detected. In accordance with the response amplitudesand the phase shifts, the gains and the phase shifts of the movementcorrection means are corrected in a good balance.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied byprocessing for the left and right vibration correction systems, which isperformed by the microcomputer 20 in steps S205 to S209 of FIG. 4.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thecontrol means detects driving ranges of the first and second movementcorrection means with respect to the driving signal, calculates offsetswith respect to a predetermined driving range reference value, andcorrects driving limits of the first and second movement correctionmeans in accordance with the offsets.

With the above arrangement, the offsets of the first and second movementcorrection means with respect to the driving range reference value aredetected, so that the driving limits of the movement correction meansare corrected to the optimum values in a good balance.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied byprocessing in steps S309 to S312 in the flow chart of FIG. 15, which isperformed by the microcomputer 20.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thedriving signal is a signal for positioning the first and second movementcorrection means at a reference position, and the control means detectsoffsets of the first and second movement correction means with respectto the reference position and corrects initial positions of the firstand second movement correction means in accordance with the offsets.

With the above arrangement, the offsets of the first and second movementcorrection means with respect to the reference position are detected,the initial positions of the movement correction means are corrected,and the offset in movement correction is corrected, so that the dynamicrange in movement correction can be set wide while balancing the firstand second movement correction means.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied byprocessing in steps S302 to S308 in the flow chart of FIG. 15, which isperformed by the microcomputer 20.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein themovement correction means is optical vibration correction meansincluding a variable angle prism.

With the above arrangement, degradation and change in drivingcharacteristics due to a mechanical error such as element deformationcaused by the temperature and time change of the VAP are satisfactorilycorrected so that optimum control can be performed.

There is also provided the vibration correction apparatus, wherein thecontrol means has calibration means consisting of driving signalgeneration means for generating the driving signal and characteristicdetection means for detecting response characteristics of the first andsecond movement correction means with respect to the driving signal.

With the above arrangement, the response characteristics of the firstand second movement correction means are arbitrarily detected by acalibration operation, and the offsets are corrected. At the same time,the balance between the first and second movement correction means canalways be held in the optimum state. Therefore, even when the useconditions change due to the time change or a change in environment, theapparatus can always be used in the optimum state.

In the above embodiments, the first optical system having the movableportion for changing the optical characteristics can be embodied by theright-side VAP arranged in the right-side optical system of thebinocular. In the embodiment, the first driving means for driving thefirst optical system can be embodied by the vibration correction blocks30R and 30R′, and the integration means 203R and 203R′ and thephase/gain correction means 204R and 204R′ in the microcomputer 20. Inthe embodiment, the second optical system having the movable portion forchanging the optical characteristic can be embodied by the left-side VAParranged in the left-side optical system of the binocular. In theembodiment, the second driving means for driving the second opticalsystem can be embodied by the vibration correction blocks 30L and 30L′,and the integration means 203L and 203L′ and the phase/gain correctionmeans 204L and 204L′ in the microcomputer 20. In the embodiment, thecontrol means can be embodied by the calibration block 207 in themicrocomputer 20.

There is also provided the optical device, wherein said control meansdetects offsets with respect to frequency characteristics, drivingranges, and initial positions of said first and second driving means andcorrects the offsets by changing the driving characteristics of at leastone of said first and second driving means.

With the above arrangement, the response amplitudes and the phase shiftsof the first and second optical systems and the first and second drivingmeans with respect to the driving signal, the offsets with respect tothe driving range reference value, and the driving limits of themovement correction means are corrected to the optimum values in a goodbalance.

In this arrangement, processing of the control means can be embodied byprocessing of the left and right vibration correction systems, which isperformed in steps S5 to S9 of FIG. 4 by the microcomputer 20, andprocessing in steps S302 to S312 in the flow chart of FIG. 15.

[Other Embodiment]

The present invention can be applied to a system constituted by aplurality of devices (e.g., host computer, interface, camera, recorder)or to an apparatus comprising a single device (e.g., videocamcoder).

Further, the object of the present invention can be also achieved byproviding a storage medium storing program codes for performing theaforesaid processes to a system or an apparatus, reading the programcodes with a computer (e.g., CPU, MPU) of the system or apparatus fromthe storage medium, then executing the program.

In this case, the program codes read from the storage medium realize thefunctions according to the embodiments, and the storage medium storingthe program codes constitutes the invention.

Further, the storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, anoptical disk, a magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, a magnetic tape, anon-volatile type memory card, and ROM can be used for providing theprogram codes.

Furthermore, besides aforesaid functions according to the aboveembodiments are realized by executing the program codes which are readby a computer, the present invention includes a case where an OS(operating system) or the like working on the computer performs a partor entire processes in accordance with designations of the program codesand realizes functions according to the above embodiments.

Furthermore, the present invention also includes a case where, after theprogram codes read from the storage medium are written in a functionexpansion card which is inserted into the computer or in a memoryprovided in a function expansion unit which is connected to thecomputer, CPU or the like contained in the function expansion card orunit performs a part or entire process in accordance with designationsof the program codes and realizes functions of the above embodiments.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vibration correction apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a vibration; movement correction means forcorrecting a movement of an image caused by the vibration on the basisof an output from said detection means; means for generating andsupplying a reference driving signal stored in un-rewritable memory tosaid movement correction means; and control means for detecting responsecharacteristics of said movement correction means with respect to thereference driving signal and adjusting said response characteristics ofsaid movement correction means on the basis of a detection result.
 2. Avibration correction apparatus comprising: detection means for detectinga vibration; movement correction means for correcting a movement of animage caused by the vibration on the basis of an output from saiddetection means; means for generating and supplying a predetermineddriving signal to said movement correction means; and control means fordetecting response characteristics of said movement correction meanswith respect to the predetermined driving signal and adjusting saidresponse characteristics of said movement correction means on the basisof a detection result, wherein said control means detect a responseamplitude and a phase shift of said movement correction means withrespect to the driving signal and changes a transfer frequencycharacteristic of a control system having said detection means and saidmovement correction means in accordance with the response amplitude andthe phase shift.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidcontrol means detects the response amplitude and the phase shift of saidmovement correction means with respect to the driving signal andcorrects a transfer gain and a phase of said control system having saiddetection means and said movement correction means.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein said movement correction means is opticalvibration correction means including a variable angle prism.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said movement correction meansis optical vibration correction means including a variable angle prism.6. A vibration correction apparatus comprising: detection means fordetecting a vibration; movement correction means for correcting amovement of an image caused by the vibration on the basis of an outputfrom said detection means; means for generating and supplying apredetermined driving signal to said movement correction means; andcontrol means for detecting response characteristics of said movementcorrection means with respect to the predetermined driving signal andadjusting said response characteristics of said movement correctionmeans on the basis of a detection result, wherein said control meansdetects a driving range of said movement correction means with respectto the driving signal, calculates an offset with respect to apredetermined driving range reference value, and corrects a drivinglimit of said movement correction means in accordance with the offset.7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said movement correctionmeans is optical vibration correction means including a variable angleprism.
 8. A vibration correction apparatus comprising: detection meansfor detecting a vibration; movement correction means for correcting amovement of an image caused by the vibration on the basis of an outputfrom said detection means; means for generating and supplying apredetermined driving signal to said movement correction means; andcontrol means for detecting response characteristics of said movementcorrection means with respect to the predetermined driving signal andadjusting said response characteristics of said movement correctionmeans on the basis of a detection result, wherein the driving signal isa signal for positioning said movement correction means at a referenceposition, and said control means detects an offset of said movementcorrection means with respect to the reference position and corrects aninitial position of said movement correction means in accordance withthe offset.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said movementcorrection means is optical vibration correction means including avariable angle prism.
 10. A vibration correction apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a vibration; movement correction means forcorrecting a movement of an image caused by the vibration on the basisof an output from said detection means; means for generating andsupplying a reference driving signal stored in un-rewritable memory tosaid movement correction means; control means for detecting responsecharacteristics of said movement correction means with respect to thereference driving signal and adjusting said response characteristics ofsaid movement correction means on the basis of a detection result; andswitching means for switching between an operative state and aninoperative state of said movement correction means, and wherein saidcontrol means, corrects the driving characteristics of said movementcorrection means in accordance with a switching operation of saidswitching means.
 11. A vibration correction apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a vibration; movement correction means forcorrecting a movement of an image caused by the vibration on the basisof an output from said detection means; means for generating andsupplying a reference driving signal stored in un-rewritable memory tosaid movement correction means; control means for detecting responsecharacteristics of said movement correction means with respect to thereference driving signal and adjusting said response characteristics ofsaid movement corrections means on the basis of a detection result; andpower supply detection means for detecting and displaying a remainingamount of a power supply incorporated in said apparatus, and whereinsaid control means corrects the driving characteristics of said movementcorrection means in accordance with an operation of said power supplydetection means.
 12. A vibration correction apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a vibration; movement correction means forcorrecting a movement of an image caused by the vibration on the basisof an output from said detection means; means for generating andsupplying a reference driving signal to said movement correction means;control means for detecting response characteristics of said movementcorrection means with respect to the reference driving signal andadjusting said response characteristics of said movement correctionmeans on the basis of a detection result; switching means for switchingbetween an operative state and an inoperative state of said movementcorrection means, and wherein said control means corrects the drivingcharacteristics of said movement correction means in accordance with aswitching operation of said switching means; and detection means fordetecting that an operator is observing through an eyepiece unit of saidvibration correction apparatus, and wherein said control means inhibitscorrection of the driving characteristics of said movement correctionsmeans when said detection means detects that the operator is observingthrough said eyepiece unit.
 13. A vibration correction apparatuscomprising: detection means for detecting a vibration of an imagesensing device main body; movement correction means for correcting amovement of an image caused by the vibration, on the basis of an outputfrom said detection means; means for generating and supplying areference stored in un-rewritable memory driving signal to movementcorrection means; characteristics detection means for detecting responsecharacteristics of said movement correction means with respect to thereference driving signal and calculating an offset between a detectionresult and a predetermined reference value; storage means for storingthe offset calculated by said characteristic detection means; andcontrol means for adjusting driving characteristics of said movementcorrection means on the basis of offset information stored in saidstorage means.
 14. A vibration correction apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a vibration of an image sensing devicemain body; movement correction means for correcting a movement of animage caused by the vibration, on the basis of an output from saiddetection means; means for generating and supplying a predetermineddriving signal to movement correction means; characteristic detectionmeans for detecting response characteristics of said movement correctionwith respect to the predetermined driving signal and calculating anoffset between a detection result and a predetermined reference value;storage means for storing the offset calculated by said characteristicdetection means; and control means for adjusting driving characteristicsof said movement correction means on the basis of offset informationstored in said storage means, wherein said characteristic detectionmeans detects an offset in response amplitude and phase of said movementcorrection means with respect to the driving signal, and said controlmeans changes a transfer frequency characteristic of a control systemhaving said detection means and said movement correction means.
 15. Theapparatus according to claim 14, wherein said characteristic detectionmeans detects the offset in response amplitude and phase of saidmovement correction means with respect to the driving signal, and saidcontrol means corrects a transfer gain and a phase of a control systemhaving said detection means and said movement correction means.
 16. Avibration correction apparatus comprising: detection means for detectinga vibration of an image sensing device main body; movement correctionmeans for correcting a movement of an image caused by the vibration, onthe basis of an output from said detection means; means for generatingand supplying a predetermined driving signal to movement correctionmeans; characteristic detection means for detecting responsecharacteristics of said movement correction means with respect to thepredetermined driving signal and calculating an offset between adetection result and a predetermined reference value; storage means forstoring the offset calculated by said characteristic detection means;and control means for adjusting driving characteristics of said movementcorrection means on the basis of offset information stored in saidstorage means, wherein said characteristic detection means detects adriving range of said movement correction means with respect to thedriving signal and calculate the offset with respect to a predetermineddriving range reference value, and said control means corrects thedriving characteristics of said movement correction means in accordancewith the offset.
 17. A vibration correction apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a vibration of an image sensing devicemain body; movement correction means for correcting a movement of animage caused by the vibration, on the basis of an output from saiddetection means; means for generating and supplying a predetermineddriving signal to movement correction means; characteristic detectionmeans for detecting response characteristics of said movement correctionmeans with respect to the predetermined driving signal and calculatingan offset between a detection result and a predetermined referencevalue; storage means for storing the offset calculated by saidcharacteristic detection means; and control means for adjusting drivingcharacteristics of said movement correction means on the basis of offsetinformation stored in said storage means, wherein the driving signal isa signal for positioning said movement correction means at a referenceposition, said characteristic detection means detects the offset of saidmovement correction means with respect to the reference position, andsaid control means corrects the driving characteristics of said movementcorrection means in accordance with the offset.
 18. A vibrationcorrection apparatus comprising: means for generating and supplying areference stored in un-rewritable memory driving signal to first andsecond movement correction means; said first movement correction meansfor correcting a movement of an image which is caused by a vibration;said second movement correction means for correcting the movement ofsaid image, which is caused by the vibration; and control means fordetecting response characteristics of said first movement correctionmeans with respect to the reference driving signal and responsecharacteristics of said second movement correction means with respect toreference driving signal, and adjusting the driving characteristics ofsaid first and second movement correction means such that the responsecharacteristics of said first movement correction means aresubstantially the same as those of said second movement correctionmeans.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said movementcorrection means is optical vibration correction means including avariable angle prism.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 18, whereinsaid control means has calibration means comprising driving signalgeneration means for generating the reference driving signal andcharacteristic detection means for detecting response characteristics ofsaid first and second movement correction means with respect to thereference driving signal.
 21. A vibration correction apparatuscomprising: means for generating and supplying a reference drivingsignal to first and second movement correction means; said firstmovement correction means for correcting a movement of an image which iscaused by a vibration; said second movement correction means forcorrecting the movement of said image, which is caused by the vibration;and control means for detecting response characteristics of said firstmovement correction means with respect to the reference driving signaland response characteristics of said second movement correction meanswith respect to the reference driving signal, and adjusting the drivingcharacteristics of said first and second movement correction means suchthat the response characteristics of said first movement correctionmeans are substantially the same as those of said second movementcorrection means; wherein said control means detects response amplitudesand phase shifts of said first and second movement correction means withrespect to the driving signal and performs correction in accordance withthe response amplitudes and the phase shifts such that transferfrequency characteristic of said first movement correction means aresubstantially equalized with those of said second movement correctionmeans.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said movementcorrection means is optical vibration correction means including avariable angle prism.
 23. A vibration correction apparatus comprising:means for generating and supplying a reference driving signal to firstand second movement correction means; said first movement correctionmeans for correcting a movement of an image which is caused by avibration; said second movement correction means for correcting themovement of said image, which is caused by the vibration; and controlmeans for detecting response characteristics of said first movementcorrection means with respect to the reference driving signal andresponse characteristics of said second movement correction means withrespect to the reference driving signal, and adjusting the drivingcharacteristics of said first and second movement correction means suchthat the response characteristics of said first movement correctionmeans are substantially the same as those of said second movementcorrection means; wherein said control means detects response amplitudesand phase shifts of said first and second movement correction means withrespect to the driving signal and corrects gains and phases of saidfirst and second movement correction means in accordance with theresponse amplitudes and the phase shifts.
 24. The apparatus according toclaim 23, wherein said movement correction means is optical vibrationcorrection means including a variable angle prism.
 25. A vibrationcorrection apparatus comprising: means for generating and supplying areference driving signal to first and second movement correction means;said first movement correction means for correcting a movement of animage which is caused by a vibration; said second movement correctionmeans for correcting the movement of said image, which is caused by thevibration; and control means for detecting response characteristics ofsaid first movement correction means with respect to the referencedriving signal and said response characteristics of said movementcorrection means with respect to the reference driving signal, andadjusting the driving characteristics of said first and second movementcorrection means such that the response characteristics of said firstmovement correction means are substantially the same as those of saidsecond movement correction means; wherein said control means detectsdriving ranges of said first and second movement correction means withrespect to the driving signal, calculates offsets with respect to apredetermined driving range reference value, and corrects driving limitsof said first and second movement correction means in accordance withthe offsets.
 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein saidmovement correction means is optical vibration correction meansincluding a variable angle prism.
 27. A vibration correction apparatuscomprising: means for generating and supplying a reference drivingsignal to first and second movement correction means; said firstmovement correction means for correcting a movement of an image which iscaused by a vibration; said second movement correction means forcorrecting the movement of said image, which is caused by the vibration;and control means for detecting response characteristics of said firstmovement correction means with respect to the reference driving signaland said response characteristics of said movement correction means withrespect to the reference driving signal, and adjusting the drivingcharacteristics of said first and second movement correction means suchthat the response characteristics of said first movement correctionmeans are substantially the same as those of said second movementcorrection means; wherein the driving signal is a signal for positioningsaid first and second movement correction means at a reference position,and said control means detects offsets of said first and second movementcorrection means with respect to the reference position and correctsinitial positions of said first and second movement correction means inaccordance with the offsets.
 28. The apparatus according to claim 27,wherein said movement correction means is optical vibration correctionmeans including a variable angle prism.
 29. An optical devicecomprising: a first optical system having a movable portion for changingoptical characteristics; first driving means for driving said firstoptical system; a second optical system having a movable portion forchanging the optical characteristics; second driving means for drivingsaid second optical system; and control means for detecting responsecharacteristics of said first and second optical systems with respect toa reference driving signal stored in un-rewritable memory and adjustingdriving characteristics of said first and second driving means such thatthe response characteristics of said first optical system aresubstantially the same as those of said second optical system.
 30. Anoptical device comprising: a first optical system having a movableportion for changing optical characteristics; first driving means fordriving said first optical system; a second optical system having amovable portion for changing the optical characteristics; second drivingmeans for driving said second optical system; and control means fordetecting response characteristics of said first and second opticalsystems with respect to a reference driving signal and adjusting drivingcharacteristics of said first and second driving means such that theresponse characteristics of said first optical system are substantiallythe same as those of said second optical system, wherein said controlmeans detects offsets with respect to frequency characteristics, drivingranges, and initial positions of said first and second driving means andcorrects the offsets by changing the driving characteristics of at leastone of said first and second driving means.
 31. A vibration correctionapparatus comprising: detection means for detecting a movement of animage; movement correction means for correcting the movement of theimage on the basis of an output from said detection means; and controlmeans for detecting driving characteristics of said movement correctionmeans with respect to a reference driving signal component, saidreference driving signal stored in un-rewritable memory, and adjustingdriving characteristics of said movement correction means on the basisof a detection result.
 32. The apparatus according to claim 31, whereinsaid movement correction means is optical vibration correction meansincluding a variable angle prism.
 33. A vibration correction apparatuscomprising: detection means for detecting a movement of an image;movement correction means for correcting the movement of the image onthe basis of an output from said detection means; and control means fordetecting driving characteristics of said movement correction means withrespect to a predetermined driving signal component and adjustingdriving characteristics of said movement correction means on the basisof a detection result, wherein said control means detects a responseamplitude and a phase shift of said movement correction means withrespect to the driving signal and changes a transfer frequencycharacteristic of a control system having said detection means and saidmovement correction means in accordance with the response amplitude andthat phase shift.
 34. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein saidcontrol means detects the response amplitude and the phase shift of saidmovement correction means with respect to the driving signal andcorrects a transfer gain and a phase of said control system having saiddetection means and said movement correction means.
 35. The apparatusaccording to claim 33, wherein said movement correction means is opticalvibration correction means including a variable angle prism.
 36. Avibration correction apparatus comprising: detection means for detectinga movement of an image; movement correction means for correcting themovement of the image on the basis of an output from said detectionmeans; and control means for detecting driving characteristics of saidmovement correction means with respect to a predetermined driving signalcomponent and adjusting driving characteristics of said movementcorrection means on the basis of a detection result, wherein saidcontrol means detects a driving range of said movement correction meanswith respect to the driving signal, calculates an offset with respect toa predetermined driving range reference value, and corrects a drivinglimit of said movement correction means in accordance with the offset.37. A vibration correction apparatus comprising: detection means fordetecting a movement of an image; movement correction means forcorrecting the movement of the image on the basis of an output from saiddetection means; and control means for detecting driving characteristicsof said movement correction means with respect to a predetermineddriving signal component and adjusting driving characteristics of saidmovement correction means on the basis of a detection result, whereinthe driving signal is a signal for positioning said movement correctionmeans at a reference position, and said control means detects an offsetof said movement correction means with respect to the reference positionand corrects an initial position of said movement correction means inaccordance with the offset.
 38. A vibration correction apparatuscomprising: detection means for detecting a movement of an image;movement correction means for correcting the movement of the image onthe basis of an output from said detection means; control means fordetecting driving characteristics of said movement correction means withrespect to a reference driving signal component, said reference drivingsignal stored in un-rewritable memory, and adjusting drivingcharacteristics of said movement correction means on the basis of adetection result; and switching means for switching between an operativestate and an inoperative state of said movement correction means, andwherein said control means corrects the driving characteristics of saidmovement correction means in accordance with a switching operation ofsaid switching means.
 39. A vibrating correction apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a movement of an image; movementcorrection means for correcting the movement of the image on the basison an output from said detection means; control means for detectingdriving characteristics of said movement correction means with respectto a reference driving signal component, said reference driving signalstored in un-rewritable memory, and adjusting driving characteristics ofsaid movement correction means on the basis of a detection result; andpower supply detection means for detecting and displaying a remainingamount of a power supply incorporated in said apparatus, and whereinsaid control means corrects the driving characteristics of said movementcorrection means in accordance with an operation of said power supplydetection means.
 40. A vibration correction apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a movement of an image; movementcorrection means for correcting the movement of the image on the basisof an output from said detection means; control means for detectingdriving characteristics of said movement correction means with respectto a reference driving signal component and adjusting drivingcharacteristics of said movement correction means on the basis of adetection result; switching means for switching between an operativestate and an inoperative state of said movement correction means, andwherein said control means corrects the driving characteristics of saidmovement correction means in accordance with a switching operation ofsaid switching means; and detection means for detecting that an operatoris observing through an eyepiece unit of said vibration correctionapparatus, and wherein said control means inhibits correction of thedriving characteristics of said movement correction means when saiddetection means detects that the operator is observing through saideyepiece unit.
 41. A vibration correction apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a vibration; movement correction means forcorrecting a movement of an image caused by the vibration on the basisof an output from said detection means; means for generating andsupplying a reference driving signal to said movement correction means;control means for detecting response characteristics of said movementcorrection means with respect to the reference driving signal andadjusting said response characteristics of said movement correctionmeans on the basis of a detection result; power supply detection meansfor detecting and displaying a remaining amount of a power supplyincorporated in said apparatus, and wherein said control means correctsthe driving characteristics of said movement correction means inaccordance with an operation of said power supply detection means; anddetection means for detecting that an operator is observing through aneyepiece unit of said vibration correction apparatus, and wherein saidcontrol means inhibits correction of the driving characteristics of saidmovement correction means when said detection means detects that theoperator is observing through said eyepiece unit.
 42. A vibrationcorrection apparatus comprising: detection means for detecting amovement of an image; movement correction means for correcting amovement of the image on the basis of an output from said detectionmeans; control means for detecting driving characteristics of saidmovement correction means with respect to a reference driving signalcomponent and adjusting driving characteristics of said movementcorrection means on the basis of a detection result; power supplydetection means for detecting and displaying a remaining amount of apower supply incorporated in said apparatus, and wherein said controlmeans corrects the driving characteristics of said movement correctionmeans in accordance with an operation of said power supply detectionmeans; and detection means for detecting that an operator is observingthrough an eyepiece unit of said vibration correction apparatus, andwherein said control means inhibits correction of the drivingcharacteristics of said movement correction means when said detectionmeans detects that the operator is observing through said eyepiece unit.43. An apparatus comprising: a vibration detection device for detectinga vibration; a vibration correction device for correcting the vibrationbased on a vibration detection output detected by said vibrationdetection device; and an adjustment device for detecting responsecharacteristics of said vibration correction device with respect to areference driving signal stored in un-rewritable memory, set in advanceregardless of the vibration detection output detected by said vibrationdetection device, and based on the detected response characteristics,adjusting the response characteristics of said vibration correctiondevice with respect to the vibration detected by said vibrationdetection device.
 44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein saidadjustment device detects at least one of a response amplitude or aphase shift of said vibration correction device with respect to thepredetermined signal, and adjusts a transfer frequency characteristic ofa control system, having said vibration detection device and vibrationcorrection device, based on at least one of the response amplitude orthe phase shift.
 45. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein saidadjustment device detects a response amplitude of said vibrationcorrection device with respect to the predetermined signal, and adjustsa transfer gain of a control system, having said vibration detectiondevice and vibration correction device, based on the response amplitude.46. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said adjustment devicedetects a phase shift of said vibration correction device with respectto the predetermined signal, and adjusts a phase of a control system,having said vibration detection device and vibration correction device,based on the phase shift.
 47. The apparatus according to claim 43,wherein said adjustment device detects a driving range of said vibrationcorrection device with respect to the predetermined signal, calculatesan offset with respect to a predetermined driving range reference value,and adjusts a driving limit of said vibration correction device inaccordance with the offset.
 48. The apparatus according to claim 43,wherein the predetermined signal is a signal for positioning saidvibration correction device to a reference position, and said adjustmentdevice detects an offset of said vibration correction device withrespect to the reference position and adjusts an initial position ofsaid vibration correction device in accordance with the offset.
 49. Theapparatus according to claim 43, wherein said vibration correctiondevice optically corrects a vibration.
 50. The apparatus according toclaim 43, wherein said vibration correction device includes a variableangle prism.
 51. The apparatus according to claim 43, further comprisinga switching device for switching between an operative state and aninoperative state of said vibration correction device, wherein saidadjustment device adjusts the response characteristics of said vibrationcorrection device with respect to the vibration, detected by saidvibration detection device, in accordance with the switching operationof said switching device.